With the WNBA Draft and most of free agency out of the way, all eyes turn towards training camp. Teams officially open their doors on Sunday ahead of the league’s 30th season.
Forty-five prospects heard their names called on Monday night, but only so many will make a final roster out of camp. Coaching staffs across the WNBA have tough decisions ahead as they begin to cut down their rosters, but there’s one trick left up their sleeves: developmental roster spots.
“Thank goodness there’s two developmental roles,” said Washington Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson when addressing reporters on Wednesday. “There’s some eye on could that play in; we’ll have to see. But it allows us to bring in players and be a part of our program, and that’s really what it is.”
“Maybe some of those picks will get on the roster, and maybe some of those will be rostered and could be developmental players. We’ll have to let that shake out and let training camp decide, but it’s an opportunity. That’s why we were so very detailed in terms of who we wanted, even in the late rounds.”
Thanks to the new CBA, teams can now carry two additional roster spots for developmental players. These spots will most likely go to late-round draft picks, young players on training camp deals, and international players brought to the league. Here are three prospects that I think can earn a spot on a roster outright, or in the developmental pool.
WITH THE 31ST PICK IN THE 2026 WNBA DRAFT THE DALLAS WINGS SELECT… ZEE SPEARMAN, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE with @geico, the official partner of the Dallas Wings draft ⭐ pic.twitter.com/ZhIYpavbew
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) April 14, 2026
The Wings drafted Tennessee forward Zee Spearman with the No. 31 pick. At 6’4” with a 6’8” wingspan, Spearman is an energy big that powers a defense during a spell or provides versatility to the offense with her length in the open court on rim runs. After the draft, Wings general manager Curt Miller and coach Jose Fernandez highlighted how important it was for Dallas’ roster to have this wrinkle in its fold. The Wings only had two draft picks this year, so competition from other rookies at her position is nonexistent. However, several posts in camp could give Spearman a run for her money. Due to Miller’s comments about her three-point shot and the belief that she shot too many as a Lady Vol, I think there’s something there.
SEC made, so you know she’s got the game on lock. 😼
With the 22nd selection, we have drafted Teonni Key from Kentucky.
Entry Draft presented by @TurboTaxCanada pic.twitter.com/zlDg0uVXXn
— Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) April 14, 2026
Drafting Teonni Key with the No. 22 pick was a no-brainer for Toronto, especially as an expansion franchise. Continuity with fans and marketability are key, and Key can impact both.
As a 6’5” forward, Key has all the tools to make it in the WNBA. She has size you can’t teach and a feathery touch on the interior that’s hard to learn. She crashes the glass with limitless energy, which can swing a possession or the game itself. You wouldn’t think a player with her frame has the speed or agility to keep up with smaller, quicker players, but Key does. The efficiency with which she does it isn’t consistent yet, but her toolkit is already leagues above most players at her age, leaving college, and she should thrive with Toronto’s player-focused development strategies.
We’ve got Cassandre Prosper! pic.twitter.com/5sDrCGSUbS
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) April 14, 2026
The Mystics drafted Notre Dame’s Cassandre Prosper with the No. 19 overall pick. As the youngest player leaving college headed to the league, Prosper’s upside is severely underrated. As a 6’2” guard in college, Prosper will most likely play the wing at this level. Her length and athleticism play a tremendous part in her game because she’s normally one of the fastest and longest players on the court at any given moment. She was a full-time starter in her senior season, and that’s when she caught the eyes of scouts across the league. Her defensive tenacity empowers her to chase the quickest of the quick and the strongest of the strong.
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Born and raised in Chicago, Christan Braswell is a women’s sports journalist with a focus on the WNBA and women’s college basketball. He’s an avid fan of elevator screens and stuffed-crust pizza. Outside of sports, he’s an avid cook and lover of the great outdoors.
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